Common hair growth drugs may ruin your sex life

DDN CorrespondentPosted on 26 Aug, 2015 at 02:03:PM IST

Common hair growth drugs may ruin your sex life - Common drugs prescribed for male pattern hair loss, known as alopecia, and benign prostate enlargement (BPH) might lead to adverse sexual side effects such as loss of libido or erectile dysfunction, according to a new study.

25 percent of men presently taking Finasteride or Dutasteride, popularly known as Avodart and Proscar, for the treatment of BPH, appear not to benefit from taking these drugs.

The study found that those prescribed Avodart or Propecia for male pattern hair loss are also at risk for adverse events evoked by these drugs.

Side effects such as erectile dysfunction and libido loss can remain even after stopping the therapy in some patients. The researchers believe that besides sexual side effects, the drugs could also have cardiovascular side effects.

Dutasteride and Finasteride are in the family of drugs known as 5alpha-reductase inhibitors (5A-RIs).

Lead researcher Abdulmaged Traish, professor of biochemistry and urology at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) in Massachusetts, U.S., said "Inhibition of 5A-R activity may potentiate insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes, vascular disease and osteoporosis, but studies have not been definitive."

Traish further added that the investigation into psychiatric side effects of 5A-RIs has been limited, but some case series describe anxiety symptoms and increased depression among patients on the medication.

The findings have been published online in the journal Endocrine Reviews and Metabolic Disorders.